Wolverines and Spartans Advance to NCAA Tournament Round of 32

Michigan and Michigan State both win first-round games to move on in the Big Dance

Mar. 20, 2026 at 2:17pm

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The University of Michigan and Michigan State University men's basketball teams both won their opening-round games in the 2023 NCAA Tournament. Top-seeded Michigan defeated 16th-seeded Howard 101-81, led by Morez Johnson Jr.'s 21 points and 10 rebounds. Third-seeded Michigan State routed 14th-seeded North Dakota State 92-67, powered by Carson Cooper's 20 points and 10 rebounds. The Wolverines and Spartans will now face Saint Louis and Louisville, respectively, in the second round on Saturday.

Why it matters

The victories by Michigan and Michigan State continue the strong performance of the state's top college basketball programs in the NCAA Tournament. Both teams are aiming to make deep runs and potentially reach the Final Four, which would be a major accomplishment for the state's basketball fans and programs.

The details

Michigan rolled past Howard behind a dominant performance from Morez Johnson Jr., who shot a perfect 8-for-8 from the field. Towering center Aday Mara added 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists for the Wolverines. Michigan State was led by Carson Cooper's 20 points and 10 rebounds, with Coen Carr chipping in 17 points. The Spartans' defense held North Dakota State to just 67 points.

  • The NCAA Tournament first-round games were played on Friday, March 19, 2026.
  • The second-round games featuring Michigan and Michigan State will take place on Saturday, March 20, 2026.

The players

Morez Johnson Jr.

A standout player for the University of Michigan, Johnson led the Wolverines to a first-round NCAA Tournament victory with 21 points and 10 rebounds on a perfect shooting night.

Aday Mara

Michigan's towering center, Mara contributed 19 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists to the Wolverines' first-round win.

Carson Cooper

The Michigan State forward matched his career high with 20 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to power the Spartans' 92-67 rout of North Dakota State.

Coen Carr

Michigan State's Coen Carr added 17 points to the Spartans' first-round victory.

Tom Izzo

The longtime head coach of the Michigan State Spartans, Izzo led his team to its 22nd second-round appearance in 28 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee

What’s next

The Wolverines and Spartans will face their second-round opponents, Saint Louis and Louisville, on Saturday, March 20, 2026. The winners of those games will advance to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament.

The takeaway

Michigan and Michigan State's victories in the first round of the NCAA Tournament showcase the continued strength and competitiveness of the state's top college basketball programs. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the second-round matchups as the teams look to make deep runs in the Big Dance.